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Accelerating the attainment of UHC

Accelerating the attainment of Universal Health Coverage through community based Emergency Transport Schemes in Nigeria was an end of study event in Abuja on 20 November, 2015. The aim of the event was to share results from the pilot project Payment Models for Emergency Transport Schemes funded by MacArthur Foundation which built on the platform of of the PRRINN-MNCH programme funded by DFID.

It included presentations summarising results of the study of different Emergency Transport Schemes (ETS) payment models, HPI’s historical experience in catalysing ETS in Nigeria over the last decade, the challenges of replicating ETS across Nigeria and community approaches that build support for ETS. Participants agreed that after 10 years, ETS has come to stay in Nigeria and is contributing significantly to reducing maternal and infant mortality in northern Nigeria. Discussion focused on scaling up ETS in existing states, expanding it to other parts of the country and achieving longer-term sustainability. Gains achieved by HPI and PRRINN-MNCH and other partners taking forward ETS now require stronger involvement of the National Union for Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and government, especially at national and state level.In addition, it is vital to establish strong community ownership of the scheme and integrate it as an essential element of MNCH care.

Speech by the NURTW President

HPI, Transaid, CHAI and SFH shared their experience of introducing the scheme. Efforts should continue to embed ETS within a wider process of community mobilisation on MNCH issues. Wider agreement on incentive payments was important, as well as reducing other barriers to accessing emergency care. A number of participants felt that the NURTW was best suited to be the leading organisation for ETS, because of its strong network of branches and political influence.

HPI was applauded to have provided innovative platform during PATHS1 and through PRRINN-MNCH for engaging with community commercial transport volunteers to help save thousands of lives of pregnant women with maternal complications. HPI’s sharing of lessons and hosting the event was appreciated. A valuable outcome of the event was agreement that organisations involved in implementing ETS would start meeting together every few months to coordinate their activities, standardise incentive payments, promote ETS and seek to institutionalise it in Nigeria. NURTW offered to host the next event on ETS.